Wet Fly Swing

Duane Hada joins Chad Johnson for a thoughtful conversation on what actually creates trophy trout fisheries—and why stocking alone isn’t the answer. Duane breaks down the importance of catch-and-release regulations, managing pressure, and letting fish live long enough to reach their full potential. Drawing from rivers like the White River and the San Juan, he explains how conservation-first thinking shapes not only fish size, but the long-term health of entire fisheries. Beyond fishing, Duane opens up about his life as an artist and how creativity, patience, and observation carry over from the studio to the river. He talks about seeing fisheries as living “gardens,” the influence of Dave Whitlock on both his conservation mindset and artistic outlook, and why mentorship—on the water and off—matters just as much as catching fish. This episode is about legacy, restraint, and approaching both art and angling with intention.

Episode Show Notes If you’ve ever stood knee-deep in a Western river wondering whether a trout spey rod might change your whole approach, this conversation...

I recently sat down with Erik Johnsen from TroutRoutes and did something we’ve honestly never done before on the show. Instead of just talking...

Episode Show Notes Today, we're sitting down with someone who has lived two deep lives, one on the PGA Tour and one on the flats...

Episode Show Notes Some flies come and go, but a few patterns just keep catching fish no matter where you take them. In this episode,...